King

CHAPTER XVIII

The next day came and here I am spending the day with Erin. She dragged me to the mall and forced me to wear a Lolita dress. It was embarrassing but she threw a tantrum when I refused to wear the dress. I was adamant when I told her that I didn’t want to wear one but when I got annoyed by her tantrums I decided to wear the dress to shut her up.

“What are we going to do here?” I asked while we were walking around.

“Let’s watch a movie,” She said and showed me the tickets she bought.

I sighed and I nodded because what else can I do? “Alright, it’s a waste if we won’t use those,” I said.

We got ourselves some popcorn and soda before going in. We watched a romantic movie and it was somewhat refreshing to watch something like this once in a while.

“That was so sweet,” She said and grabbed my arm.

“It was fine,” I answered because I can’t relate to the movie.

“Have you ever fallen in love?” She asked while looking up at me.

I shook my head as an answer. Her eyes went wide with my answer. “How can you not experience love when you look that beautiful?” She asked which made me smile sadly.

It seems like she’s one of the people who see that love is experienced by people who are gifted with beauty. “I was focused on being a good person to Athaeas. I didn’t have time to look for love when Athaeas was doing a lot of things.” I answered.

She looked at me with pity in her eyes when she heard my answer. “That’s so sad,” She commented.

“Not really,” I said because it was the truth. I wasn’t interested in finding love. “What about you? Have you fallen in love?” I asked and she nodded.

“I have but it’s unfortunate that it wasn’t reciprocated.” She answered in a sad tone.

I felt sorry for her when she said that. “That’s worse than not experiencing love,” I said and she just smiled.

“Look at that!” She said and pointed at a boutique.

“I can’t believe how you can be distracted so easily,” I said but she just ignored me.

We went inside and I thought that it was going to be a boutique for girls but I was surprised when it was for men.

“What are we doing here?” I asked in confusion.

“The person I’m in love with buys his clothes here. I just want to buy him a present,” She said and looked around.

I was just tailing her when she turned around and looked at me with furrowed eyebrows. “What?” I asked because I didn’t understand why she was looking at me that way.

“Instead of tailing me around why don’t you buy something for Al and Zyn,” She said and I nodded.

“Right,” I said.

The suggestion was good but I didn’t know what to buy. I’ve never really paid that much attention to their clothes but when Erin told me to buy something I suddenly wanted to give them something.

I was busy looking around when I saw a hoodie. I walked towards it and it had a smiley face design. It reminded me of Zyn so I took it. I then continued to look around and saw a denim jacket that had an embroidered rose design on the back. I could see Al wearing so I decided to take it as well.

I went to the cashier to pay for it and when I went to see where Erin was I saw her talking to Tyrone. I froze when I sat them together. I watched them talk and it seems like they were close. Erin had a smile on her face while she was talking to him. I didn’t know what they were talking about but it made me mad that she was talking to Tyrone. What reason did she have to talk to Tyron with a smile plastered on her face?

I saw Tyrone turn around so I walked to a different direction. I watched him walk out of the boutique and waited for a few minutes before walking up to Erin. She smiled at me and waved her hand. I gritted my teeth because she can act that way towards me after talking to Tyrone.

“You bought some,” She said and looked at the paper bags in my hand. I looked at it and nodded.

“Yeah, thanks for the suggestion,” I said with a smile even though I wanted to ask her why she was with Tyrone.

“Are you done?” I asked and she nodded.

“Let me pay for this before we leave,” She said and I nodded.

I need to know what she’s hiding. I waited for her and tried to think of a way to make her say something.

“Let’s go,” She said and popped up beside me.

I looked at her and smile, “Okay,” I said and we went out.

“What do you want to do next?” I asked and she said she wanted to play some arcade games.

I nodded and we went to an arcade. While playing I was thinking about what to ask her. I kept on asking her random things about her life but nothing seemed suspicious in her answers.

After playing in the arcade we decided to grab lunch in a seafood restaurant. I continued asking her things about her personal life and she answered without any second thoughts.

It was frustrating not having any answers that seems suspicious or something that would give me a hint of why she was talking to Tyrone.

“Why don’t we have a drink at your place?” I asked when an idea came into my head.

If she won’t reveal anything while she’s sober maybe she will if she’s drunk.

“That’s a good idea,” She said with a huge smile on her face.

“Let’s go buy some wine,” She said and attempted to pull me with her but I didn’t move.

“You can go ahead and buy. I need to go to the washroom. I’ll just meet you here or you can text me if you’re still not done buying so I can go to you.” I said and she nodded before we went our separate ways.

I went to the washroom to relieve myself and call Al to tell him that I’m not going home today.

“Come on, pick up,” I said when he didn’t answer my fourth call.

I sighed when the phone beeped. I then decided to call Zyn hoping that he’s holding his phone.

“Thank God you picked up,” I said in relief when he answered my call.

I heard him chuckle after hearing what I said. “What’s up? It’s rare for you to call,” He said.

“I can’t go home today. I’m going to stay with Erin for the night.” I said.

“Okay, have you told Al about it?” He asked and I groaned.

“No, I kept on calling him but he wouldn’t answer.” I said and rolled my eyes.

“Well, he did go to a meeting with the High Commission of Magic Regulation,” He said which made my heart beat fast.

“Why?” I asked. I don’t know the reason why but I was feeling nervous about this meeting.

“I don’t know. Maybe he’ll tell us when he comes back,” He said calmly.

I bit my bottom lip and contemplated if I should go home or not. “Hey, Elle, are you still there?” I heard Zyn ask when I didn’t answer immediately.

“Yeah, I am,” I answered. “Maybe I should come home,” I said while fidgeting.

“No, you can spend the night with Erin. I’m sure Al can handle this,” He said but it wasn’t enough to pacify me.

“I know but aren’t we relying on Al too much?” I asked and I heard silence.

“Zyn?” I asked when he didn’t say anything.

“Let’s just trust him on this one. I’ll just call if Al says that it’s urgent. Besides, you can teleport so getting here wouldn’t be much of a problem.” He said and I nodded even though I know that he couldn’t see it.

“Okay,” I said. We said our goodbyes and I hung up.

I washed my hand and texted Al that I was staying over at Erin. I also told him to call me or text me if he needs me I also texted Erin to ask her where she was. I then went out of the washroom but as soon as I got out I was surprised to bump onto someone.

“I’m sorry,” I said and looked up at the man I bumped into.

After seeing who it was I felt a feeling of déjà vu. “When will you learn to observe your surroundings when you’re doing something?” He asked with furrowed eyebrows.

“You’re then guy I bumped into at the Blood Rose Restaurant,” I said making him furrow his eyebrows.

“Yes, and it seems like you didn’t recognize me back then,” He said while looking at me with a confused expression.

“Do I know you?” I asked while looking at his face. He looks so familiar but I just can’t point my finger.

“Yes?” He answered with uncertainty. “Did you lose your memory or something?” He asked but I didn’t answer. I stared at him instead. I really wanted to remember who he was so I kept staring at him even though I know that he was feeling uncomfortable.

My eyes grew wide in realization when I remembered who he was. “You’re Qing Shang,” I said and pointed at him.

“Yes, Elle, I’m glad you remembered,” He said in annoyance. I pinched his cheeks but he slapped it away.

“Rude as ever,” I said and he glared at me.

“I see that you haven’t changed as well,” He said.

“By the way, why don’t you look surprised to know that I’m alive? Weren’t you informed by what happened during the Great War?” I asked because he didn’t seem so shocked to see me.

“I am well aware of what happened during the Great War. I thought you were dead. But when I bumped into you at the Blood Rose Restaurant I had a hunch that you were somehow, unfortunately, revived,” He said which made me laugh. He still hates me up until now.

“Does Emperor Nuan Zhang know?” I asked and he nodded.

“When I saw you I immediately told the Emperor. He sent people to follow you around just to make sure that it was indeed you. When he confirmed that it was the sent people to look over you.” He answered with evident distaste.

“He still cares for me a lot, doesn’t he?” I asked and he nodded.

“I don’t know what he sees in you but, yes, he does still care for you,” He answered and I nodded.

I was supposed to ask him what he was doing here but his phone rang. I saw that it was the Emperor so I decided to say good bye. Though I wanted to talk to the Emperor I’m sure he wouldn’t let that happen. So, I said my good bye and walked away. I’m sure that I can find some time to talk to the Emperor.

I went to meet Erin and saw that she was standing there while playing with her phone. I walked up to her and asked her if we should get going and she nodded.

We arrived in her home and when we did she immediately opened the wine. She even brought out two wine glasses.

“Gosh, today was relaxing,” She said and I nodded.

I poured the wine and offered a toast.

“Cheers to the most relaxing night of our lives,” I said and we toasted.

We drank the wine and I crossed my fingers hoping that my plan would succeed.

I started by having a small talk with her. I asked her about her favorite stuffs like foods, shows, clothing lines and other stuffs. I also continuously poured wine in her glass as we continued with our small talks. When she started to become tipsy I poured more into her glass wine until she was drunk.

I tested whether she was drunk by making her walk a straight line and other silly things. After confirming that she was drunk I decided to start asking her what I really wanted to know because I believe that drunk thoughts re sober thoughts.

“Hey, can you tell me why you joined the Magic Preservation Centre?” I asked and she looked at me. She scoffed and played with the wine in her wine glass.

“I joined because of Tyrone. He needed someone to enter so I did.” She answered and giggled upon the mention of Tyrone.

I could feel my blood boil when I heard her answer but I nodded and took a deep breath before asking, “Why did you join?”

She smiled at me and answered, “I love Tyrone,” Though the answer wasn’t exactly clear I was pissed. I was annoyed at myself that I trusted someone like her.

I couldn’t take her answers anymore but I still needed to know more so I continued to ask her, “What’s your relationship with Tyrone?” I asked and she smiled at me sadly. I wanted to scoff so badly but I stopped myself.

“My relationship with Tyrone,” She said before she bursts into tears.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. I don’t know why she’s crying and I don’t care because all I can feel for her right now is anger and annoyance towards myself. I felt so betrayed when I heard her answers.

I was about to ask another question when I heard my phone rang. I didn’t answer the call but I teleported to the lab instead. I couldn’t stand to stay another minute with Erin at this point.

“What are you doing here?” Al asked with furrowed eyebrows when he saw me. “I thought you were going to stay at Erin’s place?” He asked.

“You called that’s why I’m here,” I answered and sat in front of him.

I found them in the kitchen and they were having dinner.

“I called to say that you’re allowed to stay there.” He said and took a sip of his coffee.

I took a deep breath and looked at him with a serious expression. Al understood the look on my face and clasped his hands on the table. “What is it?” He asked.

Zyn looked at me as well when he felt the atmosphere change.

“I found something out about Erin,” I said which made Zyn furrow his eyebrows.

I looked at Al and waited for a change in his reaction but there was none. “I saw her and Tyrone talking when we were at a boutique earlier,” I said and Al nodded.

“Where is this going?” Zynrick asked in a serious tone.

I looked at him and he looked like he was pissed but I took a deep breath. Maybe if I explain then he’ll understand.

“After seeing them talking together I decided to make Erin drink wine with me,” I said and looked at Zyn who was glaring at me.

“I asked her what her relationship with Tyrone was when she was drunk. I also asked why she joined the MPC and she told me that it was because of Tyrone.” I explained but Zyn slammed his hands on the table.

“Zynrick,” Al called out but Zyn just glared at Al before looking at me.

“Look, Elle, I know that we’re looking for a way to get into the AMF. I also understand that you hate the fact that your familiars are there but now isn’t the time to assume. Seeing Erin talk to Tyrone doesn’t mean anything. Also, if you think that just because she joined because of Tyrone means that she’s plotting something evil you’re wrong.” He said which made me grit my teeth. I wasn’t done talking but here he is defending someone who could be a spy sent by the enemies.

“Could you let me finish?” I asked through gritted teeth but he shook his head.

“I can’t believe that you’d actually intoxicate someone in order to look for something that you can use against them just so you can point your hands on them. I’m honestly disappointed,” He said.

I didn’t understand why but hearing him say that he’s disappointed in me weighed on me. I was seething with anger when I heard what he had to say.

“I can’t believe that I’d hear that from you,” I said and stood up to walk away but he grabbed my arm to stop me.

“What? Do you have more to say?” I asked and shook my hand off.

“Why are you leaving? We’re still talking,” He said through gritted teeth.

I scoffed and glared at him. “You didn’t even finish what I had to say and yet here you are saying that we’re still talking.” I said and shook my head.

“Al, help me on this one,” He said which made my jaw drop.

“Al,” I said and looked at him.

Al released a sigh and stood up, “I have no opinion on this one because I don’t want to take sides. Both of you are grown up so you should fix this on your own.” He said and walked out of the kitchen.

I clenched my fists and took a deep breath before asking, “Why are you defending her anyway?” I asked but Zyn didn’t answer.

I waited for five minutes but he didn’t answer. I scoffed and looked away. I don’t know why but it hurts when he didn’t answer.

“I can’t believe you wouldn’t listen to me. You didn’t even let me finish my explanation and yet here you are telling me assuming things when you’re the one who wouldn’t even hear me out. Did you really think that I would just point my finger at someone?” I asked but he didn’t answer which made me angrier.

“You’re disappointed in me? Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m sorry for being such a disappointment,” I said sarcastically and left the laboratory in anger.

I waited for him to follow me but he didn’t which made me feel something I’ve never felt before.